Nat. Res. & the Environment (75)
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Date of Last Recorded Action: 3/29/2024

HB 0043 InactiveAmended FY 17 Supplemental Budget David Ralston
2/15/2017 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
Appropriations Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation contains amendments to the State's current budget for fiscal year 2016-2017.  It is generally referred to as the "supplemental budget."  For a summary of this bill click here.
HB 0044 InactiveFY 18 Big Budget David Ralston
5/1/2017 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
Appropriations Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
This legislation contains the State's budget for fiscal year 2017-2018.  For a summary of the budget, click here.
HB 0149 NeutralRequirement for Counties to Use Only GBI Approved Trauma Scene Cleanup Services and Consolidation of Fire Services Alan Powell
3/29/2018 Senate Disagreed House Amend or Sub Public Safety and Homeland Security Public Safety -
2017/03/06 - Report 2018/03/16 Report 2018/03/23 Report Business and Occupation Tax Code Enforcement
Coroners/Medical Examiners Debra Nesbit Emergency Management/Preparedness EMS/Ambulance Fire Services
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Georgia Bureau of Investigation Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts Sheriff Solid Waste
This legislation preempts county and city governments from requiring licenses or permits for trauma scene waste management practitioners or regulated waste transporters.  When hiring a company to cleanup or remove trauma scene waste, counties and cities must hire a company approved by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  This bill was amended to include S.B. 319 which provides for the Consolidation of all Fire Services into a separate state agency.
HB 0168 NeutralUpper Oconee Basin Water Authority; abolish Upper Oconee Resource Management Commission Regina Quick
7/1/2017 Effective Date Natural Resources & Environment State and Local Governmental Operations -
Local Legislation Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quantity
HB 0171 InactiveMeriwether County Water and Sewerage Authority; members and chairperson; change designation Robert Trammell
5/1/2017 Effective Date Intragovernmental Coordination State and Local Governmental Operations -
Local Legislation Nat. Res. & the Environment Sewer/Septage Water Quality Water Quantity
HB 0183 SupportGeorgia Geospatial Advisory Council Robert Dickey
7/1/2017 Effective Date State Planning & Community Affairs Natural Resources and the Environment -
2017/02/10 - Report 2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report General County Government
Nat. Res. & the Environment Todd Edwards
This legislation transfers the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Community Affairs and removes the council's sunset. The Council makes recommendations on utilizing Georgia's geospatial capabilities to meet federal notification requirements, achieving governmental data interoperability and advancing geospatial technology among Georgia's state and local governments.    
HB 0205 SupportFracking Regulations John Meadows
5/8/2018 Effective Date Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
2017/02/03-Report 2017/02/24 - Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/17 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report
2018/02/02 Report 2018/03/09 Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Sales Tax-Local Water Quality Water Quantity

This legislation amends the Oil and Gas Deep Drilling Act of 1975. It requires the creation of regulations governing hydraulic fracturing. Counties and cities have the ability to adopt local zoning or land use ordinances limiting the location or timing of fracking activities to protect natural resources, human life and human welfare. A three percent severance tax will be required from the sale price of the gas and oil obtained. Counties, where the fracking occurs, can enact local ordinances or resolutions to levy its own severance tax, which can't exceed nine cents per barrel of oil or two cents per thousand cubic feet of gas.  

HB 0238 InactiveSolar Farms - Removal from Conservation Use Easements James Hatchett
4/17/2017 Effective Date Ways & Means Finance -
2017/02/17-Report 2017/03/06 - Report 2017/03/24 - Report Larry Ramsey Nat. Res. & the Environment
Property Tax Revenue & Finance
This bill amends both CUVA (Conservation Use Valuation Act) and FLPA (Forest Land Protection Act) and allows a property owner to use covenant property for solar generation of electricity without triggering a breach of the covenant. The portion of the property to be used for solar generation 1) must be removed from the covenant at the time the solar energy equipment is installed via boundary survey and 2) will be subject to ad valorem taxation at fair market value.
HB 0253 SupportDog and Cat License Plates Wendell Willard
3/27/2018 Senate Tabled Motor Vehicles Public Safety -
2017/03/24 - Report Agriculture Animal Control General County Government Health and Human Services
Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance Tags/Titles Todd Edwards
This legislation amends the special license plates to help fund dog and cat reproductive sterilization support.
HB 0332 SupportGeorgia Outdoor Stewardship Act Sam Watson
7/1/2019 Effective Date Natural Resources & Environment Appropriations -
2017/02/17-Report 2018/02/23 Report 2018/03/2 Report 2018/03/23 Report 2018/03/30 Report
Kathleen Bowen Land Conservation Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance

This bill creates the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship program. The intent of this legislation is to provide dedicated funding for state parks and state wildlife management areas as well as support to local parks and trails. Forty percent of the proceeds of all state sales tax from outdoor recreation items would be appropriated for the protection and preservation of conservation land. The General Assembly has the ability to increase this amount up to the 80%. 

Counties would be eligible to apply for grants and loans from this newly created trust fund. A Board of Trustees of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund is created to oversee the grant/loan applications. The composition of the board could include representatives from local government.

In addition, each county in which is located 20,000 acres or more of unimproved real property belonging to the state and under the custody or control of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), in which such state-owned property exceeds 10 percent of the taxable real property in the county, and in which such property represents 10 percent or more of the assessed tax digest of the county may receive from the GA DNR an annual grant. Only land acquired with Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund money would be used in the calculation of this grant. 

The bill is contingent upon a proposed constitutional amendment, found in HR 238, which would be placed on the ballot for the November, 2018 state-wide general election.

Additional Information:  https://georgiaoutdoorstewardship.org/ 

HB 0367 NegotiatingPublic Employees Privacy Protection Brian Strickland
2/16/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary --
2017/02/17-Report Correctional Institutions/Jail Debra Nesbit District Attorneys Econ. Dev. & Transportation
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Juveniles Law Enforcement Magistrate Court Mandate
Nat. Res. & the Environment Open Records/Meetings Act Probate Court Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
Solicitors State Court Superior Court
This legislation allows certain public safety and judicial officials to execute a certificate of redacted information that requires counties to redact the home address and telephone number of the public safety or judicial official and their relatives from the county's website or other Internet access point within the county's control.
HB 0387 NeutralSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Utilities) Jeff Jones
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste Water Quality
This legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) and requires certain electric utilities and power producers to convert to dry storage.
HB 0388 EvaluatingSolid Waste Management - Coal Ash (Landfills) Jeff Jones
2/17/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
2017/02/17-Report Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Solid Waste
This legislation addresses the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) in landfills. Landfill owners would be required to create a managment plan if they receive or are planning to receive coal ash. In addition, landfill owners would be required to notify the local governing authorities of the county, and any city within the county in which the landfill is located, upon the initial submission of a said plan or upon submission of an amended plan.  
HB 0413 InactivePetroleum Pipelines: Regulations and Permitting Don Parsons
5/9/2017 Effective Date Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Regulated Industries and Utilities -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment
This legislation provides guidelines on the use of eminent domain, siting, permitting and construction of petroleum pipelines in Georgia. New pipeline construction or an expansion requires a permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This bill also requires notice be placed in the county legal organ where the proposed new or expanded pipeline will be located and requires notice be provided to landowners whose property is located within 1,000 feet of the proposed new or expanded pipeline.
HB 0465 NeutralIndustrial Hemp Commission John Pezold
2/24/2017 House Second Readers Judiciary Non-Civil --
Agriculture Econ. Dev. & Transportation Georgia Bureau of Investigation Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen
Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts Sheriff
This legislation creates the Industrial Hemp Commission. This commission will oversee, regulate and promote the research and development of industrial hemp and hemp products in Georgia. 
HB 0512 OpposeStorm Water Utility Fees - Water Neutral Properties Regina Quick
3/1/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Health and Human Services Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Revenue & Finance
Stormwater Water Quality
This legislation prohibits counties and cities from assessing stormwater utility fees on properties certified as a water-neutral site by a professional engineer. The property owner would be responsible for submitting the proof of certification. 
HB 0516 NeutralIncrease in "Live-Aboard" Days on Vessels from 90 to 120 Days Jason Spencer
3/3/2017 House Second Readers Natural Resources & Environment --
Econ. Dev. & Transportation Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Tourism
This legislation amends the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 by increasing the days one could live aboard a vessel from 90 days to 120 days during any calendar year. 
HB 0665 NeutralNotices for Abandoned Vessels Eddie Lumsden
3/9/2018 Senate Read Second Time Natural Resources and Environment Natural Resources and the Environment -
Kathleen Bowen Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
If an abandoned vessel is determined to be stolen, the local law enforcemnt officers or agency should notify only the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The bill removes the Georgia Crime Information Center from being an agency requiring such notification.
HB 0683 SupportFY 2018 Amended Budget David Ralston
3/9/2018 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
2018/01/19 Report 2018/02/02 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/03/2 Report Appropriations
Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts Revenue & Finance
Please click here for a summary of the amended budget.
HB 0684 EvaluatingFiscal Year 2019 State Budget David Ralston
5/2/2018 Effective Date Appropriations Appropriations -
2018/01/19 Report 2018/03/09 Report 2018/03/23 Report Appropriations Debra Nesbit
Econ. Dev. & Transportation General County Government Health and Human Services Nat. Res. & the Environment Public Safety and Courts
Revenue & Finance
HB 0693 OpposeProhibits Liens on Property Where Solid Waste Fees Are Delinquent Brett Harrell
2/21/2018 Senate Read and Referred Ways and Means Natural Resources and the Environment -
2018/01/19 Report 2018/01/26 Report 2018/02/09 Report 2018/02/16 Report 2018/02/23 Report
Forfeitures, Fees, and Fine Add Ons Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Property Tax Revenue & Finance
Solid Waste
This legislation would repeal the state law that permits local governments to place liens on properties for unpaid trash fees without going to court first. Local governments would still have other collection options, including filing a claim in Magistrate Court; a judgment from Magistrate Court can still be filed as a lien against the property of the debtor. Because direct filing of trash liens provides another tool for local government collection of unpaid fees, ACCG opposes this legislation.

The House passed HB 693 on 2/20/18. Vote Tally Link 
HB 0748 EvaluatingCommunity Association Transparency and Protection Act William Boddie
2/5/2018 House Withdrawn, Recommitted Judiciary --
2018/02/02 Report Code Enforcement General County Government Nat. Res. & the Environment Todd Edwards
This legislation, mirroring SB 374, significantly revises state law on residential property associations (condominium, cooperative and homeowners') and the responsibilities of both developers and residents.  Among provisions, the bill stipulates turnover and transition requirements; requires developers to establish a two-year operating budget prior to turnover/transition which includes reserve accounts for capital expenditures and deferred maintenance; requires developers to post performance and maintenance bonds; and spells out civil penalties for violations of the Act.  For the proponents' summary of the bill, please click here.        
HB 0752 EvaluatingInvestigative and Arrest Powers Granted to GEMA for Homeland Security Purposes Alan Powell
1/30/2018 House Second Readers Public Safety and Homeland Security --
2018/02/02 Report Debra Nesbit Econ. Dev. & Transportation Emergency Management/Preparedness General County Government
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Government Immunity Health and Human Services Law Enforcement Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts
This legislation expands the scope of GEMA and grants them arrest and investigative powers and statewide jurisdiction in homeland security matters.
HB 0764 NeutralLawful Possession of Certain Quantities of Low THC Oil David Clark
3/1/2018 Senate Read and Referred Judiciary - Non-Civil Health and Human Services -
Agriculture Debra Nesbit General County Government Health and Human Services Nat. Res. & the Environment
Public Safety and Courts
HB 0777 NeutralHistoric Chattahoochee Commission Repealed Gerald Greene
7/1/2018 Effective Date Interstate Cooperation Interstate Cooperation -
Kathleen Bowen Nat. Res. & the Environment Water Quality Water Quantity
The legislation repeals in its entirety the Historic Chattahoochee Commission (HCC), which was organized in the 1970s to promote tourism and historic preservation throughout the Lower Chattahoochee River Valley. More info on the HCC can be found here.
Green background on status indicates a bill has been acted on the last recorded legislative day.








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